A new family leave bill sparked controversy at the California Capitol Thursday. A bill would offer 12 weeks of family leave for new parents who work for small businesses.

A new family leave bill sparked controversy at the California Capitol Thursday. A bill would offer 12 weeks of family leave for new parents who work for small businesses.

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Updated: 6:50 PM PDT Aug 11, 2016

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WEBVTT A JOCULAR BILL THAT THE WOMEN'S LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS CALLING IT A TOP PRIORITY. EITHER WAY, IT COULD CHANGE HOW SMALL EMPLOYERS DO BUSINESS IN CALIFORNIA. HEATHER CONWAY IS A MOTHER OF FOUR AND SHE IS SUPPORTING A CALIFORNIA BILL ALLOWING NEW PARENTS 12 WEEKS OF FAMILY LEAVE NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL THEIR EMPLOYER IS. WHEN MY OLDER CHILDREN WERE BORN, I DID WORK FOR A SMALL EMPLOYER. AND I HAD TO RETURN TO WORK QUICKLY. I DIDN'T FEEL PHYSICALLY OR EMOTIONALLY READY. MIKE SUPPORTERS SAY GUARANTEED FAMILY LEAVE ALLOWS NEW PARENTS TIME TO BOND WITH THEIR BABIES IN CALIFORNIA, PARENTS ALREADY GET 12 WEEKS OF FAMILY LEAVE IF THEY WORK FOR A LARGE BUSINESS WITH 50 OR MORE EMPLOYEE BUT SMALL BUSINESSES WITH 10 T 49 WORKERS LIKE NEW WORLD DRY CLEANERS IN SAAMENTO WOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THREE MONTHS OF UNPAID FAMILY LEAVE UN DER A BILL NOW ACTIVE AT THE CAPITO >> IT'S GOING TO BE TOUG BECAUSE WE'RE A SMALL OPERATION. I DON'T HAVE ALL THE PEOPLE TO PLUG AND PLAY. MIKE: WORKING PARENTS ALREADY RECEIVE SIX WEEKS OF PAY TO ST HOME WITH THE NEW BABY THROUGH THEIR OWN PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS BUT THE BILL'S AUTHOR SAYS THAT'S NOT ENOUGH. IF YOUR JOB ISN'T GUARANTEED WHEN YOU COME BACK, A LOT OF PEOPLE AREN'T TAKING THAT LEAVE BECAUSE IT'S A CHOICE BETWEEN TAKING THE LEAVE AND GETTING FIRE MIKE: BUT MANY SMALL BUSINESSES ALREADY STRUGGLING WITH A HI IN THE MINIMUM WAGE MAY NOT HAVE THE BUDGET TO HIRE TEMPORARY WORKERS FOR A 12 WEEK TIMESPAN. >> THE PROBLEM IS A LOT OF SMA BUSINESSES CAN'T AFFORD AT ANY

Proposed family leave bill focuses on small businesses

A new family leave bill sparked controversy at the California Capitol Thursday. A bill would offer 12 weeks of family leave for new parents who work for small businesses.